Fashion and lifestyle continue to boost overall sales

Total like-for-like sales soared by 48.31% in the week ending 6 March 2022, compared with +4.53% for the same week last year when the UK was still in Lockdown 3.

Strong performance from fashion and lifestyle sales hugely impacted overall total like-for-likes, as in-store activities continued to rebound, but homeware sales were once again negative, according to the latest data from BDO High Street Sales Tracker.

Total fashion like-for-like sales climbed by 73.97% from a negative base of -4.31% for the same week last year, marking 52 consecutive weeks of positive total like-for-like sales for fashion going back to the second week of March 2021.

Lifestyle total like-for-like sales jumped by 32.13% from a weak base of -3.9% for the same week last year, while homeware sales plummeted by -16.05% from a vigorous base of +56.52% for the same week last year.

Total in-store like-for-like sales increased by 2,924.35% for the week ending 6 March, compared to a sunken base of -81.15% for the same week last year when non-essential stores were still forced to close due to the COVID restrictions.

In-store like-for-likes for fashion increased by 4,832.25%, but from a dreadful base of -91.21% during the same week last year. It marks 50 consecutive weeks of positive instore like-for-like sales for fashion.

Total non-store like-for-like sales fell -21.23% from a huge base of +154.52% for the same week last year, when online shopping was the number one option for non-essential goods.

Overall footfall for the week increased by 117.5% compared to the equivalent week last year, as footfall in high streets and shopping centres rose by 135.9% and 157.1% respectively. Footfall in retail parks climbed by 35.7% compared to the same week last year.